To Date or Not Date Your Co-worker?

Although more traditional generations may feel that dating your co-worker is professional suicide, some of us less conservative folks could see a very promising romantic relationship with “John in finance.”

Personally, I’m not a fan. It isn’t because I’m skeptical of office romance working out, but moreso because I like my space and autonomy. I get tired of people way too fast to work with them. If we worked in different departments on different floors and on different days, then MAYBE. Then again, I love the idea of love so much that I’d probably take the chance if the desire were strong enough. Whether you’re considering dating someone you work with or are already involved with someone at your gig, it’s always best to take a few ideas into consideration. Here’s a little list of things that you should ponder before entering the realm of business and pleasure:

Is the Connection Strong Enough?

You’ve been peeping that hottie who works in sales for a few weeks now, but does the attraction go beyond the surface? It’s natural to find those we work with physically appealing if, well, … they’re physically appealing. You’re not blind, especially if that person is someone who is new to the company. What you really need to figure out is whether you see an actual future with your co-worker or just a future with him or her in your bed. If your desires fall more along the lines of lust, then you probably shouldn’t risk your paycheck for a slay in the sack.

Are You Mature Enough to Handle It?

Whenever you’re romantically involved with someone, that person is going to piss you off. People you aren’t romantically involved with also piss you off. It’s just the way of the world. You have to realistically answer the question of whether you can handle looking outside your cubicle at your significant other when you’ve had a major fallout just an hour prior to arriving at work. When you date your co-worker, there’s no “cool-down” option that folks who work at different jobs can activate. Yes, you can take time to yourself, but depending on the intricacies of your job, you won’t be able to say, “I’m not giving you those files because you didn’t come in until 4AM. last night.” Couples who work together have committed themselves to keeping their professional and personal relationships separate. No matter how angry you may be at each other, you have a job to do, and that job was honestly there before you guys were ever an item.

Going Public

Going public with your relationship goes well beyond this article’s topic of dating a co-worker. Whenever you publicly announce that you’re an item, you are indirectly inviting people into your business. How friendly the invitation is depends on the level of information you choose to divulge about your relationship and to whom. But the haters and negative bloodsuckers are always lurking. So after reviewing your company’s policy on in-house dating, sit down with your significant other and create your own.

Be Prepared for the Relationship to Fail

No matter how optimistic one may be, people change their minds often.When dating, you must be prepared for the relationship not to work out. Understand that by dating a co-worker, you’re absolving yourself of the luxury of time apart from each other if you break up. Space is critical to healing after a relationship ends. Ask yourself if you really want to look your ex in the face five days a week for eight hours (if you’re lucky) a day.

Whenever you engage in an intimate relationship with another person, energy is exchanged. Any relationship, regardless of whether it involves a co-worker, should be well-thought-out and have communication, honesty, trust and love as the base of the union.

This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the privacy policy. If you want to know more or withdraw your consent to all or some of the cookies, please refer to the privacy policy.
By closing this banner, scrolling on this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies.OkRead more